Blogs - UJShttp://www.ujs.org.uk/blog
Getting involved in something bigger - Dana Winter<p><img src="https://d3n8a8pro7vhmx.cloudfront.net/ujs/pages/1026/attachments/original/1558095254/dana_hannah_summit_cropped.jpg?1558095254" alt="" width="551" height="353"></p>
<p>I am writing this on my last day as part of the UJS Sabbatical Team 2018-2019. I can’t believe it’s been 10 months (to the day) since we had our first Chazon session, since I moved to London and embarked on this year of adventures.</p>Fri, 17 May 2019 13:14:33 +0100Dana Winterhttp://www.ujs.org.uk/getting_involved_in_something_bigger_dana_winter
March of the living 2019 - Rebecca Lewis and Dana Winter<p><img src="https://d3n8a8pro7vhmx.cloudfront.net/ujs/pages/1020/attachments/original/1557413618/IMG_2783.jpg?1557413618" alt="" width="432" height="324"></p>
<p>As part of our role as UJS Sabbatical Officers, we received many different opportunities throughout the year to support our students. One of these opportunities has been our recent trip to Poland, to participate on March of the Living as part of the student bus.</p>Thu, 09 May 2019 16:23:51 +0100Dana Winterhttp://www.ujs.org.uk/motl_2019_rebecca_and_dana
Yom Ha’atzmaut 2019- Happy Birthday Israel!<p><img src="https://d3n8a8pro7vhmx.cloudfront.net/ujs/pages/1018/attachments/original/1557405979/54727732_10216773926435010_5113558947034300416_o.jpg?1557405979" alt="" width="405" height="304" /></p>
<p><span class="s2">Happy Birthday</span> <span class="s2">Israel! </span><span> </span></p>
<p><span class="s3">Sitting here writing this, while </span><span class="s3">scrolling through </span><span class="s3">headline after </span><span class="s3">headline, </span><span class="s3">looking at picture after picture and </span><span class="s3">video after video of what is happening back home, i</span><span class="s3">t’</span><span class="s3">s scary (petrifying even) but also empowering to an extent. Jews have always</span><span class="s3"> faced some sort of persecution or attack </span><span class="s3">and yet we are still here, and not only are we here but we are celebrating 71 years of Independence.</span></p>Thu, 09 May 2019 14:29:15 +0100Dana Winterhttp://www.ujs.org.uk/happy_birthday_israel
Cross-Communal Pessach Resources<p><img src="https://d3n8a8pro7vhmx.cloudfront.net/ujs/pages/1008/attachments/original/1555590356/pessach_plate.jpg?1555590356" alt="" width="298" height="201"></p>
<p>Welcome to UJS’ Pesach themed, cross-communal educational resource! <br>Five leading educators from within our community, from different denominations and backgrounds, have produced in partnership with UJS, four awesome pieces to inspire you this Pesach! (plus an extra activity launched by Lead for your dinner table..) Click here to read more!</p>Thu, 18 Apr 2019 13:20:00 +0100Dana Winterhttp://www.ujs.org.uk/cross_communal_pessach_resources
UJS Student Awards 2019!<p><span lang="en-US"><img src="https://d3n8a8pro7vhmx.cloudfront.net/ujs/pages/1006/attachments/original/1555490634/winners.jpg?1555490634" alt="" width="468" height="264"></span></p>
<p><span lang="en-US">Last night, the 16<sup>th</sup> of April, we hosted our annual UJS Student awards where over 120 students</span><span lang="en-US">, partners and community</span><span lang="en-US"><span> </span>came together to celebrate everything that was achieved on campus over the last year.<span> </span></span><span lang="en-US">We received</span><span lang="en-US"><span> </span>almost 100 nominations, and we were proud to see our campus leaders come together</span><span lang="en-US"><span> </span>for this special evening</span><span lang="en-US"><span> </span>to acknowledge the amazing work they have done.</span></p>Wed, 17 Apr 2019 11:30:00 +0100Dana Winterhttp://www.ujs.org.uk/ujs_student_awards_2019
Be bold, be strong, be idealistic and challenge us all to be better- Arieh Miller<p><span><img src="https://d3n8a8pro7vhmx.cloudfront.net/ujs/pages/1002/attachments/original/1554460566/content_slider-100_wrong_font.jpg?1554460566" alt="" width="472" height="226"></span></p>
<p><span>Since my time as a student (Leeds University ‘07-’10) I have been overwhelmingly impressed by the work of UJS. From the thousands of Friday night dinners served, to the game-changing national campaigns, to representing and standing up for students on campus; UJS is a <strong>dynamic</strong>, <strong>boundary-pushing</strong> and <strong>difference-making</strong> movement, and I am excited to be a part of it once more.</span></p>Fri, 05 Apr 2019 12:48:43 +0100Dana Winterhttp://www.ujs.org.uk/be_bold_be_strong_be_idealistic
Building a mentally healthy Jewish student community - Philippa Carr<p><span><img src="https://d3n8a8pro7vhmx.cloudfront.net/ujs/pages/1001/attachments/original/1554281147/jami_logo_white_background.png?1554281147" alt="" width="419" height="209"></span></p>
<p><span>It’s Sunday 31<sup>st</sup> March 7.40am (after the clocks have gone forward) and I’m at Paddington Station bound for Bristol Temple Meads. I’m talking to my inner self and asking, “Remind me why I do this job?” Not only is it very early on a Sunday, but it’s Mothers’ Day and my two teenage daughters are miffed that they’re not going to be able to post mother and daughter selfies on their social media feeds. I’m also feeling a bit guilty that I probably won’t have a chance to speak to my own mother today as I’ll be home too late. I try to remain resolute, thinking of my quest for purpose today rather than pure pleasure.</span></p>Wed, 03 Apr 2019 09:46:00 +0100Dana Winterhttp://www.ujs.org.uk/building_a_mentally_healthy_jewish_student_community
Israeli Elections 2019 - Aaron Benderski<p><img src="https://d3n8a8pro7vhmx.cloudfront.net/ujs/pages/1000/attachments/original/1554222965/israel_flag.png?1554222965" alt="" width="330" height="231"></p>
<p>So the Israeli elections are almost upon us, and I was tasked with simplifying the process to understand what is going on.</p>Tue, 02 Apr 2019 17:37:00 +0100Dana Winterhttp://www.ujs.org.uk/elections_aaron_benderski
Be proud, be passionate, and maybe a little more patient and pragmatic <p><img src="https://d3n8a8pro7vhmx.cloudfront.net/ujs/pages/998/attachments/original/1553871510/Summit_Havdalah_est_1919.jpg?1553871510" alt="" width="500" height="253"></p>
<p>Two weeks ago, I was with students at UJS Liberation Conference. A few days later I was sharing my experience of being an LGBT+ Jew on an interfaith panel at Cardiff university. As my penultimate week as UJS CEO, this seemed a fitting farewell to supporting UJS Presidents and their teams fighting for Jewish students and all marginalised groups to live fully and freely without fear of harassment or hatred.</p>Fri, 29 Mar 2019 15:34:41 +0000Raymond Curtishttp://www.ujs.org.uk/be_proud_be_passionate_and_maybe_a_little_more_patient_and_pragmatic
UJS Student Awards 2019 - And the nominees are...<p><img src="https://assets.nationbuilder.com/ujs/pages/995/attachments/original/1553096338/student_awards_invitation_email_invite.png?1553096338" alt="" width="480" height="338"></p>
<p>After receiving nearly 100 nominations and deliberating for a long time, we are delighted to announce this year’s nominees for the 2019 UJS Student Awards!</p>Wed, 20 Mar 2019 15:42:09 +0000Dana Winterhttp://www.ujs.org.uk/ujs_student_awards_2019_nominees
Debate not Divestment: Creating Meaningful Dialogue on our Campuses During Israel Apartheid Week<p><img src="https://assets.nationbuilder.com/ujs/pages/993/attachments/original/1552991080/54230579_2333149183597978_4571803587771891712_n.png?1552991080" alt="" width="479" height="117"></p>
<p>As Israel Apartheid Week approaches, as Jewish students around the country, we have to consider the role that we play in promoting the Jewish state. It is clear, through Israel Apartheid Weeks gone by, that we have seen hostility on campus, with some students calling for a hard-line policy of Boycotts, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) against the State of Israel. One thing is evident though – rather than polarising the debate so that both sides feel as though they must get one up on the other, we should instead be creating an environment that fosters good relations and respect – an environment that would in the future be conducive to peace.</p>Tue, 19 Mar 2019 10:25:19 +0000Dana Winterhttp://www.ujs.org.uk/debate_not_divestment_james_harris
Homelessness - Rebecca Lewis, UJS Sabbatical Officer<p><span><img src="https://assets.nationbuilder.com/ujs/pages/975/attachments/original/1551368251/content_slider-100_wrong_font.jpg?1551368251" alt="" width="486" height="232"></span></p>
<p><span>Perhaps awful to admit, but if you had sent me an article about homelessness two weeks ago, chances are I wouldn’t have even opened it- it was, quite simply, something that had little relevance to me; I just didn’t care. </span></p>
<p><span>In fact, it went further than just being apathetic. I was a cynic.</span></p>Thu, 28 Feb 2019 15:38:00 +0000Dana Winterhttp://www.ujs.org.uk/homelessness_rebecca_lewis
LGBT+ History Month 2019<p><img src="https://d3n8a8pro7vhmx.cloudfront.net/ujs/pages/947/attachments/original/1548937626/UJS_at_Pride.jpg?1548937626" alt="" width="463" height="347"></p>
<p>Our job as student leaders is to fight for those in our society who need us most, leading a student culture which celebrates diversity and standing up for each other when we need it most. That’s why we are proud to mark LGBT+ History Month, both as a celebration of our LGBT+ Jewish community, and as a focus on how much further we can go to expel homophobia, transphobia and biphobia from our Jewish student society and beyond.</p>Fri, 01 Feb 2019 12:00:00 +0000Dana Winterhttp://www.ujs.org.uk/lgbt_history_month_2019
The Real Deal 2018 - Finn Judge<p><img src="https://d3n8a8pro7vhmx.cloudfront.net/ujs/pages/938/attachments/original/1548156932/Temple_Mount.jpg?1548156932" alt="" width="600" height="291"></p>
<p>Last month I had the privilege of touring Israel with UJS, alongside four universities from the North. It required preparation: we were told to expect early mornings, fluctuating weather, and even the occasional brewery. What none of us could have prepared for, however, were the transformative accounts of those who lived the conflict between Israel and Palestine - and the common hope they shared for the future.</p>Wed, 23 Jan 2019 10:00:04 +0000Dana Winterhttp://www.ujs.org.uk/the_real_deal_2018_finn_judge
Tu B'Shvat 2019<p><img src="https://d3n8a8pro7vhmx.cloudfront.net/ujs/pages/935/attachments/original/1547811520/tu_bishvat.jpg?1547811520" alt="" width="600" height="319"></p>
<p>Tu B’Shvat celebrates the New Year of the trees and traditionally marks the date on which farmers began calculating the tithing of their fruit crops. Today we celebrate Tu B’Shvat through eating 15 fruits and the Kabbalistic custom of Tu B’Shvat sedarim is becoming popular. However, it can also serve as an important reminder of our Jewish duty to care for the natural world.</p>Mon, 21 Jan 2019 10:00:02 +0000Dana Winterhttp://www.ujs.org.uk/tu_b_shvat2019
You can't not go - March of the Living<p><img src="https://d3n8a8pro7vhmx.cloudfront.net/ujs/pages/929/attachments/original/1547570666/UK_March_Delegation.jpg?1547570666" alt="" width="504" height="335"></p>
<p>You can’t not go</p>
<p>When you go somewhere people always ask ‘how was it?’ And words can never express the intensity of what you’ve experienced. This is a trip too important to miss and my words can only carry so far.</p>
<p>I went on March of the Living for the first time as a student; the following year I went as a member of UJS staff, and I would go again. I have to.</p>Thu, 17 Jan 2019 12:00:03 +0000Dana Winterhttp://www.ujs.org.uk/you_can_t_not_go
Work for UJS!<p><img src="https://d3n8a8pro7vhmx.cloudfront.net/ujs/pages/915/attachments/original/1547056056/banner_re4cruitment.png?1547056056" alt="" width="549" height="298"></p>
<p>Find out how you can apply for the UJS Sabbatical Team 2019-2020!</p>Fri, 14 Dec 2018 12:39:00 +0000Dana Winterhttp://www.ujs.org.uk/sabbatical_team_2019
Shakira Martin, NUS President addressed Jewish students ensuring her commitment to the Jewish community - UJS Conference 2018<p><img src="https://d3n8a8pro7vhmx.cloudfront.net/ujs/pages/914/attachments/original/1544543615/Shakira_Martincropped.jpg?1544543615" alt="" width="495" height="231"></p>
<p>Shakira Martin, President of the National Union of Jewish Students, joined us at Conference to reinforce her commitment to combat anitsemitism through her platform within the NUS. </p>Tue, 11 Dec 2018 15:49:00 +0000Dana Winterhttp://www.ujs.org.uk/shakira_martin_ujs_conference_2018
Lord Eric Pickles addresses the need to preserve and learn from the history of the Holocaust - UJS Conference 2018<p><img src="https://d3n8a8pro7vhmx.cloudfront.net/ujs/pages/912/attachments/original/1544541114/Lord_Eric_Pickles.jpg?1544541114" alt="" width="495" height="251"></p>
<p>Lord Eric Pickles, Chair of the Conservative Friends of Israel and co-Chair of the UK Holocaust Memorial Foundation Advisory Board, spoke of the need to learn the lessons of history in order to eradicate hatred today.</p>Tue, 11 Dec 2018 15:34:00 +0000Dana Winterhttp://www.ujs.org.uk/lord_eric_pickles_ujs_conference_2018
Lord Alf Dubs inspires students to continue their activism for today’s child refugees - UJS Conference 2018<p><img src="https://d3n8a8pro7vhmx.cloudfront.net/ujs/pages/913/attachments/original/1544542175/DSC_0357.jpg?1544542175" alt="" width="496" height="331"> </p>
<p>‘When you have hope, you can put up with almost everything, but when there is not hope, it’s really terrible. We want to give them hope.’</p>
<p>One week and 80 years after the first arrival of a Kindertransport to the UK, Lord Alfred Dubs addressed Jewish students at this years conference talking about his experiences as a Holocaust survivor and working in the UK Parliament, as well as working to support unaccompanied child refugees.</p>Tue, 11 Dec 2018 15:33:00 +0000Dana Winterhttp://www.ujs.org.uk/lord_alf_dubs_ujs_conference_2018